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Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
Published in: Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Antioxidant effects of vitamins in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors: Maria E. Balbi, Fernanda S. Tonin, Antonio M. Mendes, Helena H. Borba, Astrid Wiens, Fernando Fernandez-Llimos, Roberto Pontarolo

Published in: Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Vitamins are essential micronutrients with antioxidant potential that may provide a complementary treatment for patients with chronic diseases. Our aim was to assess the effect of vitamin supplementation on the antioxidant status and glycemic index of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Methods

We performed a systematic review with meta-analyses. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (December 2017). Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of any vitamin or vitamin complex supplementation on antioxidant status as primary outcome were included. The outcomes considered were: reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA); augmentation of glutathione peroxidase (GPx); changes in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), enhance in superoxide dismutase enzyme—SOD, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Outcomes of glycemic control were also evaluated. Pairwise meta-analyses were performed using software Review Manager 5.3.

Results

Thirty trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria, but only 12 could be included in the meta-analyses of antioxidant outcomes. The most commonly studied vitamins were B, C, D and E. Vitamin E was related to significant reduction of blood glucose as well as glycated hemoglobin compared to placebo, while both vitamins C and E were mainly associated with reducing MDA and TBARS and elevating GPx, SOD and TAC, compared to placebo. However, outcome reports in this field are still inconsistent (e.g. because of a lack of standard measures).

Conclusions

Supplementation of vitamin E may be a valuable strategy for controlling diabetes complications and enhancing antioxidant capacity. The effects of other micronutrients should be further investigated in larger and well-designed trials to properly place these complementary therapies in clinical practice.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Antioxidant effects of vitamins in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors
Maria E. Balbi
Fernanda S. Tonin
Antonio M. Mendes
Helena H. Borba
Astrid Wiens
Fernando Fernandez-Llimos
Roberto Pontarolo
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1758-5996
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-018-0318-5

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